Time-course RNA-seq analysis reveals stage-specific and melatonin-triggered gene expression patterns during the hair follicle growth cycle in Capra hircus

Abstract

Background Cashmere goat is famous for its high-quality fibers. The growth of cashmere in secondary hair follicles exhibits a seasonal pattern arising from circannual changes in the natural photoperiod. Although several studies have compared and analyzed the differences in gene expression between different hair follicle growth stages, the selection of samples in these studies relies on research experience or morphological evidence. Distinguishing hair follicle growth cycle according to gene expression patterns may help to explore the regulation mechanisms related to cashmere growth and the effect of melatonin from a molecular level more accurately. Results In this study, we applied RNA-sequencing to the hair follicles of three normal and three melatonin-treated Inner Mongolian cashmere goats sampled every month during a whole hair follicle growth cycle. A total of 3559 and 988 genes were subjected as seasonal changing genes (SCGs) in the control and treated groups, respectively. The SCGs in the normal group were divided into three clusters, and their specific expression patterns help to group the hair follicle growth cycle into anagen, catagen and telogen stages. Some canonical pathways such as Wnt, TGF-beta and Hippo signaling pathways were detected as promoting the hair follicle growth, while Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Jak-STAT, Fc epsilon RI, NOD-like receptor, Rap1, PI3K-Akt, cAMP, NF-kappa B and many immune-related pathways were detected in the catagen and telogen stages. The PI3K-Akt signaling, ECM-receptor interaction and Focal adhesion were found in the transition stage between telogen to anagen, which may serve as candidate biomarkers for telogen-anagen regeneration. A total of 16 signaling pathways, 145 pathway mRNAs, and 93 lncRNAs were enrolled to construct the pathway-mRNA-lncRNA network, which indicated the function of lncRNAs through interacting with their co-expressed mRNAs. Pairwise comparisons between the control and melatonin-treated groups also indicated 941 monthly differentially expressed genes (monthly DEGs). These monthly DEGs were mainly distributed from April and September, which revealed a potential signal pathway map regulating the anagen stage triggered by melatonin. Enrichment analysis showed that Wnt, Hedgehog, ECM, Chemokines and NF-kappa B signaling pathways may be involved in the regulation of non-quiescence and secondary shedding under the influence of melatonin. Conclusions Our study decoded the key regulators of the whole hair follicle growth cycle, laying the foundation for the control of hair follicle growth and improvement of cashmere yield.

Construction of transcriptome atlas of white yak hair follicle during anagen and catagen using single-cell RNA sequencing

“…But analgen is maintained by important factors such as IGF-1, HGF, VEGF, and the morphogenesis of the hair follicle depends on the Wnt, Shh, Notch, BMP, and other signaling pathways interplay between the epithelial and mesenchymal cells [ 11 ]. Recent studies have identified the Wnt, TGF- beta, and Hippo signaling pathways to promote hair follicle growth [ 12 ], and p-cadherin to maintain anagen by regulating the canonical Wnt signaling and suppressing TGF-β2 [ 13 ].…”

Seasonal Gene Expression Profile Responsible For Hair Follicle Development In Angora Goats

“…In Cashmere goats, though measured expression of HOXC13 was higher in telogen, expression was determined in both phases and even higher expression determined in low eece yielding Cashmere goats [19]. However another studies [18,31] found that HOXC13 expression was higher in anagen, compared to catagen and telogen. In the presented study, in contradiction to previous ndings, HOXC13 gene expression was measured only anagen phase.…”

“…Also, in HF stem cells TGFB and BMP activation cause proliferating keratinocytes to transiently withdraw from the cell cycle thus changing HF phase [16,39]. Li et al (2022) [31] reported that BMP-2 was highly expressed during the anagen by analyzing with time-course RNA-seq analysis on skin biopsies of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats. In comparison of anagen and telogen phases for expression of BMP-2 gene, we have determined a strong upregulation in anagen (P-value = 0,0026).…”

Seasonal Gene Expression Profile Responsible for Hair Follicle Development in Angora goats

“…In Cashmere goats, though measured expression of HOXC13 was higher in telogen, expression was determined in both phases and even higher expression determined in low eece yielding Cashmere goats (Wang et al 2014). However another studies (Wang et al 2018;Li et al 2022) found that HOXC13 expression was higher in anagen, compared to catagen and telogen. In the presented study, in contradiction to previous ndings, HOXC13 gene expression was measured only anagen phase.…”

“…2014;Guha et al 2004). Li et al (2022) reported that BMP-2 was highly expressed during the anagen by analyzing with time-course RNA-seq analysis on skin biopsies of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats. In comparison of anagen and telogen phases for expression of BMP-2 gene, we have determined a strong upregulation in anagen (P-value = 0.0026).…”